The first two Mi-171s - out of a batch of 10 - have arrived to Croatia last Tuesday, with both of them having their public debut today at the 16th anniversary of the formation of the airforce.

The two helos, H-220 and H-221, are the armed Mi-171Sh versions, sporting four unguided rocket packs, two on each side of the fuselage, and general-purpose PPK small-caliber machine guns on the fuselage sides. Like existing Czech examples, the CroAF batch comes with a flat rear ramp and additional armor plating around the cockpit and cabin, flare packs and active IR jammers. The cockpit is analogue, but fitted with a weather radar, GPS and civilian transponder, plus some undisclosed Western-built equipment installed at the request of the CroAF. H-220 has a troop transport interior, while H-221 is the SAR version.

Photos of the ceremony can be found in the Photography forum._________________The World: 30% Land, 70% Water, 100% Air